Response scoring system for verbal behavior within a behavioral stream with a remote central processing system and associated handheld communicating devices

Abstract

A system, method and related devices for monitoring and improving the training and social eye contact and communication skills of developmentally challenged individuals such as autistic individuals and other individuals with special needs in improving their interpersonal communicating and other skills. A so called, TeachMe component of the system allows the defining of a students/patients long-term behavior or academic or social goal treatment in a hierarchical relationship of skills in treatment plans. It captures behavioral event within a ‘behavioral stream’ and in real time stores the ‘behavioral stream’ in a centralized database that can be accessed anywhere and anytime using the Internet. Procedures and materials used during the treatment are identified and data is stored in a central depository and can be displayed in a therapist's handheld device. The WatchMe component of the system and method monitors and obtains qualitative and quantitative information about the eye contact habits of a subject being trained or interviewed. It provides stimuli that promotes and encourages improvements in the eye contact habits of the subject.

1 . A teaching system for human subjects who are developmentally disadvantaged, comprising:
 a plurality of palm-sized, data logging devices, each of said data logging devices being structured for logging responses elicited from the human subjects, in response to various triggers and stimuli;   a computer system operatively coupled with said plurality of palm-sized data logging devices to receive and provide information from and to said plurality of data logging devices, wherein:   (a) each of said data logging devices being programmed to include a facility that enables said data logging device to log a result related to one or more of an activity, skill, social event, appropriate behavior, or inappropriate behavior of the human subject being treated;   (b) each of said data logging devices comprise a program facility which enables the downloading of data to a central data and control repository of said computer system, which categorizes and maintains results in accordance with various criteria; and   (c) a processor associated with the computer system which is structured to analyze the data and to develop standardized responses to said events; and   (d) a validation system to validate at least one of a user and a logging device, which communicate with the computer system to authenticatre that the logged responses were elicited from the corresponding logging device or performed by the corresponding user.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , including a voice recognition system structured to capture spoken language used to communicate with the palm-sized data logging devices. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a facility which contains rules, and defines structures that monitor and track the frequency of treatments being applied to the human subjects, relative to events such as biting, hitting, and other similar traits. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the facility allocates defined values to various behavior patterns. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the palm-sized logging devices contain information about goals and defined activities including criteria and attributes which include one or more of: trial definition, probe definition, number of trials, success criteria, protocols for continuing or stopping a treatment, timing and event values of the treatment processes, single or chained activity treatments, and schedules of treatments. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the logging devices comprise a facility that enables time stamping each event within a behavioral stream and/or record the number of correct or incorrect behavioral responses and response times or reaction times. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , including a locating facility, that enables at least one of time stamping and location stamping of the site of treatment being administered to a human subject. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , including at least a GPS and a program facility to verify that services rendered were by an assigned individual at an appropriate location for a given, planned treatment of care. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , including a probalistic algorithm that utilizes a picture capture mechanism and a signature capturing component and returns a value that confirms to a given degree of probablity that the assigned person is providing the appropriate treatment at the appropriate location. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , including a program facility which enables supervisors and/or administrative personnel at locations remote to the handheld device to check anytime and anywhere whether services are being provided at a remote site adequately and completely. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , including a link to governmental agencies which allows said agencies to view data on the behavioral treatment being applied in real time. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , including a program facility which incorporates a behavioral assessment with a treatment plan and displays a progress report with respect to such treatment and assessment. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , including a program facility which is structured to determine and detect a mathematical model of behavior changes based on large data in a behavioral data repository. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , including a program facility for tracking administrative information comprising billing, payroll, general ledger, time and attendance information.